Purdue, Cook Medical build upon 50-year alliance

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University and medical device manufacturer Cook Medical on Thursday (May 7) announced a five-year master sponsored research and collaboration agreement (MSRCA) to jointly advance innovative medical technologies while also significantly expanding the university’s research capabilities and bolstering the biomedical engineering workforce pipeline.

The MSRCA builds upon a legacy of collaborative research excellence between the two institutions dating back more than half a century.

The agreement creates a formal framework for multiple collaborative projects targeting image-guided procedures and advanced medical device manufacturing.

“For half a century, Purdue’s relationship with Cook has advanced biomedicine and life sciences from labs to lives,” said Purdue President Mung Chiang. “This agreement will allow us to significantly accelerate and amplify our collaboration further, creating jobs, talent and lifesaving medical innovations right here with another milestone of industry-university partnership.”

The MSRCA establishes a standardized outline for partnering on research, testing and collaborative activities that bridge the gap between laboratory discovery and real-world patient care.

The multifaceted cooperation is designed to streamline and expedite project delivery and make research faster, more efficient and more impactful for both institutions’ research and educational missions.

“Indiana’s life sciences leadership is no accident; it’s the result of intentional choices by visionary people and institutions. Cook is proud to be part of that story. Agreements like this one are how Indiana’s vision becomes reality, keeping world-class talent and investment right here at home,” said Pete Yonkman, president of Cook Group and Cook Medical.

The partnership will engage researchers and resources across the university’s colleges, institutes and departments — connecting academic rigor and research depth to address real-world biomedical demands.

The research agreement advances three of Purdue’s four strategic priorities — Purdue Computes, One Health and Purdue University in Indianapolis — by bringing together AI and frontier innovation, holistic health research, and expanded opportunities across the West Lafayette and Indianapolis locations and Cook facilities.

“By accelerating the power of transformative computational technologies, the recently forged agreement gives Cook and Purdue the ability to model, simulate and solve biomedical challenges at scales that were previously out of reach,” said Jennifer Kerr, president of Cook Research Inc. and a Purdue alum. “By working closely with Purdue, we’re not only pushing the boundaries of technology but also preparing the next generation of biomedical professionals who will change how patients are treated.”

The relationship between Purdue and Cook Medical dates back to collaborations in the 1970s between pioneering Purdue researcher Leslie Geddes, the Showalter Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Engineering and one of the founders of Purdue’s biomedical engineering program, and Cook Group founder Bill Cook, whose revolutionary discoveries allowed doctors to conduct minimally invasive procedures.

What began as a shared commitment to advancing medical innovation has grown into a sustained partnership embedded within Purdue Research Park and the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering.

“The roots of this collaboration run deep, grounded in the visionary work of Leslie Geddes and Bill Cook,” said Arvind Raman, the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering. “Together, they built a legacy that transcends generations — one that continues to define the enduring partnership between Purdue University and Cook Medical and its impact on biomedical innovation.”

Following Thursday’s (May 7) ceremony, Raman moderated a discussion panel that examined how AI, engineering and medicine are unlocking new capabilities; how biomedical tech is shifting from treatment to prediction; and how these technologies will change everyday health.

Joining in the discussion were Kerr (BS biomedical engineering ’93, MS basic medical sciences ’95), president of Cook Research Inc.; Derek Voskuil, chief operating officer of Cook Medical; and Kevin Otto, the Dane A. Miller Head of the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 106,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its integrated, comprehensive Indianapolis urban expansion; the Mitch Daniels School of Business; Purdue Computes; and the One Health initiative — at https://www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.

About Cook Medical

At Cook Medical, we are passionate about making unique, quality medical devices and connecting with people to improve lives. Founded on inventing, manufacturing and delivering medical devices, we provide healthcare professionals with the tools they need to help their patients return to living. 

Our commitment to innovation involves bringing new products to market and keeping existing products relevant to a changing healthcare landscape. We believe in using our business to help people and communities thrive by creating inclusive, supportive and healthy environments. 

We are proud of our history of innovative firsts and the impact we have on patients and communities. With headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana, and manufacturing facilities and offices in various global locations, we challenge ourselves to maintain a global perspective while focusing on local impact.